In this January 11 photo, a pair of diagonal lines left by a skier cross dozens of lines left by "roller balls," are a warning sign of avalanche terrain. Photo: Elaine Thompson

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating the accident, she added.

The police sent a helicopter to the site after they were alerted by two GPS beacons, which are carried by backcountry trekkers in case of emergency. Two search-and-rescue technicians who happened to be in the area reached the scene quickly, The Province newspaper reported.

"They quickly determined there were several persons that were buried," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, the newspaper reported.

"Unfortunately, five snowmobilers are deceased as a result of the avalanche. Their remains have been recovered."

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The avalanche occurred in the Renshaw area east of McBride, which is about 195 kilometres southeast of Prince George. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said three groups of snowmobilers were in the area at the time.

Karl Klassen of Avalanche Canada said the "very large, significant" avalanche appeared to be human-triggered, AP reported. He did not elaborate.

"There are layers of concern in the snowpack in many parts of this region (and others) and a fairly significant weather event added rain and snow to the snowpack over the last few days followed by clearing and cooling," he said in a statement.

Klaasen said there is a heightened risk of more incidents in the region as a result of the recent heavy snow and rainfall, the CBC reported.

"This may have produced stresses in the snowpack capable of producing large avalanches, and this condition could take several days to settle and bond," he said.